June

Specialist funds launched to support novel regenerative therapies

Exclusive funding for regenerative medicine projects with academic and industry collaborators were launched at a high profile event this week (Wednesday 20 June).

The event, organised by Regener8 and the Medical Technologies Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC), launched a call for five Proof of Concept (PoC) awards of up to £100K to fund projects that align with the therapeutic priorities identified in the Research Councils UK (RCUK) Regenerative Medicine Strategy.

The funding is being provided by the Medical Technologies IKC, who are funded by the UK Research Councils, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and the Technology Strategy Board to accelerate and enhance innovation between academic and industry collaborators in key projects that meet clear selection criteria and demonstrate significant commercial potential and to expand this successful scheme beyond Leeds to the other N8 universities. The launch aimed to encourage Expressions of Interest (EoI) in hard and soft tissue applications particularly in the specialist fields of Cardiovascular and Musculoskeletal medicine.

High profile speakers at the event included Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board, as well as case studies from successful previous PoC funding winners.

There is a strong cluster of companies successfully commercialising regenerative medicine in the North including Regener8 members Tissue Regenix, Forsite Diagnostics, Photopharmica, Smith & Nephew, Neotherix and Eveus Consulting.

Speaking at the launch, Iain Gray commented: “This funding is a fine example of the way in which Regener8, the Medical Technologies IKC and the N8 Research Partnership work together to foster innovation and encourage vital collaboration between industry and leading research-intensive universities here in the North of England. Regenerative medicine is a key focus of the Technology Strategy Board’s extensive programme of activity to support innovation in the UK’s healthcare sector and we are delighted to support this initiative.”

John Fisher, Executive Director of Regener8 and Director of the Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, University of Leeds commented: “By providing this funding we hope to encourage collaboration between the world leading research strengths of the N8 universities and the outstanding regenerative medicine companies in the North of England and in the UK in general. We have a wealth of expertise in regenerative technologies at our fingertips, and this new scheme will further encourage these experts to work together in order to create commercially viable therapies.”

Regener8 is a partnership of academics from the eight leading research-intensive universities of the North of England (the N8 Research Partnership), the regenerative medicine industry and clinicians involved in the application of regenerative therapies in the UK. Its aim is to improve the translation of regenerative therapies to the clinic and the market. Regener8 has formed a strategic alliance with the Medical Technologies IKC to deliver and broaden the support, networking and national influencing already provided by Regener8.

The N8 PoC Funding call opened on 20 June 2012. There is no closing date but early application is advised as funds will be allocated up to a maximum of 5 PoC projects. For further information please visit www.regener8.ac.uk. ENDS

About Regener8www.regener8.ac.ukRegener8 translates research in regenerative medicine into commercial products and clinical benefits. Hosted by the University of Leeds and working collaboratively across the North of England’s 8 main research-intensive universities of Newcastle, Durham, York, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Lancaster and Leeds, with over 100 academic members and over 150 industry partners, Regener8 bridges the early stage innovation gap creating commercial value from academic knowledge.

Regener8 was initially established by The N8 Research Partnership through the Northern Way initiative, in order to promote scientific, social and economic development starting in the North of England and reaching globally.

Regener8’s main objective is to encourage industry and academia to collaborate in order to commercialise or ‘translate’ regenerative therapies and get them from lab to the clinic as quickly as possible. Regener8 provides industry members with easy access to the research expertise available within the N8 universities and academic members with the capabilities needed for successful translation.About the Medical Technologies IKCwww.medical-technologies.co.uk

Regener8 has formed a strategic alliance with the Medical Technologies IKC to deliver and broaden our support, networking and national influencing. Based at the University of Leeds, the Medical Technologies IKC is an Innovation and Knowledge Centre funded by the UK Research Councils, EPSRC and BBSRC, and the Technology Strategy Board.

The Medical Technologies IKC is founded around Europe’s largest integrated multi-disciplinary medical engineering centre, the Institute of Medical & Biological Engineering (iMBE). It is home to more than 250 researchers working across 10 departments.

The alliance of the two organisations provides a greater pool of expertise and resource for Regener8’s operations and will allow members to benefit from the IKC’s translational emphasis.

About N8www.n8research.org.uk The N8 Research Partnership is a group of eight research-intensive universities in the North of England: • Durham • Lancaster • Leeds • Liverpool • Manchester • Newcastle • Sheffield • York. Working with industry, N8 aims to maximise the impact of this research base by coordinating powerful research collaborations across the North of England and beyond.

About the Technology Strategy Boardwww.innovateuk.org The Technology Strategy Board is the UK’s innovation agency. Its goal is to accelerate economic growth by stimulating and supporting business-led innovation. Sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Technology Strategy Board brings together business, research and the public sector, supporting and accelerating the development of innovative products and services to meet market needs, tackle major societal challenges and help build the future economy. For more information please visit www.innovateuk.org